HIGHTOWN’S Ian Sutcliffe turned in a captain’s display with the ball on Saturday to lift his team to fifth place in the Liverpool and District Premier League.

The all-rounder achieved fine figures of 6-14 with his prodigious medium pace swing bowling, to inflict defeat on Maghull.

Earlier on, Hightown batsman Guy Edwards returned to form with a solid 60 runs, providing the backbone for his team’s total of 160 all out. The batting was not without incident, with five players registering a duck, and it took some clean hitting from Shaun Vosloo (42) and Anthony Symondson (22) to achieve the slightly below par total.

But with Sutcliffe in such irresistible form, it was more than enough as the home side reached just 105 all out.

The skipper was well supported by Jannisar Khan (2-54) and Andy Warhurst and Graham Jones, who each took a wicket, as Hightown eased to a comfortable 55 runs win.

Back at the Porterprint Oval, the second XI played all the cricket against visitors Prescot and Odyssey, but could not take the final wicket to achieve a deserved win. Batting first, Hightown made an impressive 200-6 declared, John Lovett (70) leading the way with a typically aggressive knock.

Jason Salleh, who has been a revelation this season at number seven, added a run-a-ball 35 not out and there were also important contributions from Andrew Glennon (27) and Matty Wilson (22).

In the field, Hightown’s bowlers shared the honours with off-spinner Paul Schofield (3-12) proving the pick. Andrew Glennon (2-24), Jonathan Maskell (3-20) and Jonny Walsh (1-15) all chipped in as the combined side laboured to just 106-9 from 50 overs.